Sheet feeding apparatus



3 Sheets-Sheet W. F. GOLDING SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS LLI-lll Aug. 14,1962 Filed Deo.

Aug. 14, 1962 w, F. GoLDlNG 3,049,348

' SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed nec. 29, 1959 s sheets-sheet 2 l 12V fAug- 14, 1962 w. F. GOLDING 3,049,348

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'f f f' L Patented Aug. 14, 1962` 3,049,348 SHEET FEEDING APPARATUSWilliam Frank Golding, 22 Parrys Close, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, EnglandFiled Dec. 29, 1959, Ser. No. 862,584 Claims priority, application GreatBritain Jan. 2, 1959 14 Claims. (Cl. 271-60) 'I'his invention relates tosheet feeding apparatus wherein sheets are fed sequentially through apath including a position wherein each sheet is temporarily stopped byfront lays provided on a table over which the sheets pass and which iscapable of oscillation to move the lays between operative andinoperative positions relative to the path of the sheets.

The main object of this invention is to provide improved means for theadjustment of the lays backwards and forwards in respect of thedirection of sheet feed.

Said table is usually mounted between side frames and it is an object ofthis invention to provide improved means for adjusting the lays in themanner aforesaid from a position outside said frames.

According to this invention, I provide sheet feeding apparatus whereinsheets are fed sequentially over a table oscillating about an axis atright angles to the direction of sheet feed to introduce front laysprovided on the table periodically into the path of the sheets forsuccessive sheets to be stopped and thus registered by said lays,comprising a supporting frame situated laterally of the table, anannular bearing cooperating to support the table for the oscillationthereof on said frame, means for adjusting the lays for position in adirection at right angles to said axis of oscillation, said meansincluding a member supported on the table and movably actuable to adjustthe position of the lays, the said member extending from the tablethrough the interior of said bearing to the side of the frame remotefrom the table and being dimensioned to be accessible for manualactuation at said remote side of the frame.

One form of apparatus according to this invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a plan view of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section on the line `II-AII in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section on the line III--IIII in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section on the line IV-IV in FIG. l.

FIG. 5 is a section on the line V-V in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a section similar to FIG. 4 but showing a differentoperational position.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged section on the line VII--VII in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a section on the line VlII-Vllll in FIG. 7.

It is to be understood the apparatus is a part of a machine comprisingmeans for feeding sheets automatically into a registered position, apress for working on the sheets, and gripper means operating to grip theregistered sheets and forward them to the press. iSince the invention isconcerned with the part of the machine where the sheets are registered,only that part is described and illustrated.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a feed table 10 positionedbetween side frames 111, 12 (FIG. 1) and secured to journals 13, 14seated in bearings 15 in the frames 11, 12. 'Ihe journals 13, 14 supportthe table 10 on the frames 11, 1-2 for oscillating motion betweenoperative and inoperative positions 10u and 10b, respectively (FIG. 2).The table 10 is provided with two groups 16, 20 of sheet engagingdevices. 'I'he devices of the group 16 comprise two front lays 1-7, 13and a sheet detector contact 19. The devices of the group 20 comprisetwo front lays 2'1, 22 and a sheet detector contact 23. v

A gripper 25 is secured to a pair of endless chains 26 trained oversprockets 27 (one shown in FIG. 1) rotatable in the direction of thearrow 28. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the gripper 25 in a sheet receivingposition. The chains 26 operate to move the gripper 25 along an arcuatepath determined by the lie of the chains around the sprockets 27 intothe sheet receiving position and thence along a straight path in lthedirection of the arrow 24. The movement of the chains 26 is timed forthe chains to stop when the gripper 25 is inthe sheet receivingposition. A sheet 29 fed across the table 10 in the direction of thearrow 24 is stopped by the lays hereby to be registered, i.e.positioned, in relation to the gripper 2S as situated in the sheetreceiving position, and the gripper 25 operates to grip the sheet 29 soregistered. Thereafter, resumption of travel by the chains 26 causes thesheet 29 to resume travel under the control of the gripper 25, and thechains 26 operate to move the gripped sheet to a cutting and creasingpress diagrammatically indicated at lP (FIG. l).

Said oscillation of the table 10 is required for two reasons. Firstly,the table 10 must move out of the way of the gripper 25 as it approachesthe sheet receiving position along said arcuate path, and secondly thelays provided on table 10 must be moved out of the way of the sheet 29when the latter is to resume travel after having been gripped by thegripper 25.

It is to be understood that a plurality of grippers, as 25, are providedat regular intervals along the length of the chains 28, and that sheets,as 29, are fed sequentially across the table 10 to be received bysuccessive grippers. The oscillation of the table 10 is timed for theable 10 to lower away from the position 10a after a sheet has beenYgripped by one of the grippers, and to rise again into the position 10aimmediately after the next gripper has reached the sheet receivingposition.

yThe presentation of sheets sequentially to grippers with the aid of anoscillating table provided with lays is of course known per se andmechanism for the actuation of the chains and grippers and for producingthe table oscillations is Well understood in the art. l'

Below the table 10 there are provided six bars 30 extending from thefront edge of the table 10, i.e. from the edge adjacent the gripper 25,rearwardly towards the axis of the journals 13, 14. The bars 30 arearranged for sliding motion in the direction of their length inguides 31provided on the underside of the table 10. The devices 17, 18, 19 and21, 22, 23 are secured to the front ends of the respective bars 30. Atthe rear end of each bar 30 there is provided a ramp `32 engaged by saidrear end of the -bar 30. The ramps 32 associated with the devices 17 18,19 of group 16 are secured to a rst operating member or rod 33 extendingunder the table 10 in a direction parallel to the axis of the journals13, 14. The ramps 32 associated with the devices 20, 21, 22 of group 20are secured to a second operating member or rod 34. The rods 33, 34extend below the table 10 in a direction parallel to the axis of thejournals 13, 14 and the rods 33, 34 are supported for sliding motion inthe direction of their length in guides 35. Further, the rods 33, 34 liewithin the axial projection of the journal 14 and extend throughapertures 36 in the journal 14, the apertures 36 also defining guidesfor longitudinal movement of the rods 33, 34. The journal 14 extendsthrough its bearing 15 to the outside of the frame 12 and is theredimensioned to dene a housing 37. The rods 33, 34 termin-ate in thehousing 37. Two hand screws 38, 39 are threaded through the housing 37in positions substantially in alignment with the rods 33, 34,respectively. The ends of the screws 38, 39 inside the h0us ing abut theadjacent ends of the respective rods 33, 34.

The ends of the screws 38, 39 outside the housing 37 are provided withknurled heads for manual rotation of these screws.

Each rod 33, 34 is provided with a tension spring 40 (FIG. 5) connectedbetween the rod and a spring post 41 secured to the table 10, thesprings 40 operating to urge the rods 33, 34 into abutment with thescrews 38, 39. Each of the bars 30 is provided with a compression spring42 lying in a longitudinal recess 43 in the bar 30 between the rear endof the recess 43 and a spring post 44 secured to the table (FIGS. 4 to7). The springs 42 operate to urge the bars 30 against the respectiveramps 32.

When the screws 38, 39 are rotated so as to urge the respective rods 33,34 in a direction away from the housing 37, the ramps 32 cooperate topush the bars 30 forwards, i.e. in the direction of the arrow 24. Thesprings 42 keep the bars 30 always in contact with the ramps 32, and thesprings 40 keep the rods 33, 34 always in contact with the respectivescrews 38, 39. As a result the springs 40, 42 cooperate to move the bars32 rearwards when the screws 38, 39 are rotated to allo-w the rods 33,34 to slide in a direction towards the housing 37. Thus the lays of thegroups 16, are adjustable forwards and backwards, i.e. the longitudinalregister of the sheet 29 relative to the gripper is adjustable, from aposition outside the frame 12. Further, it is clear that the lays ofeach group 16, 2t) are adjustable independently by the respective screws38, 39 so that the register of the sheet 29 can be adjusted angularlytoo.

The rods 33, 34 and screws 3S, 39 participate in the oscillating motionof the table 10, but since the rods 33, 34 extend through the journal 14and are therefore situated in close proximity to the axis thereof, andsince the screws 38, 39 are situated substantially in line with the rods33, 34, arcuate movement of the screws 38, 39 on account of said`oscillation is reduced to a minimum and adjustment can be made withoutdifficulty while the table 10 is operating, i.e. oscillating.

The lays 18, 22 are relatively close together and are intended for usewith relatively narrow sheets, whereas the more widely spaced apart lays17, 21 are intended for appropriately wider sheets. When using the lays17, 21 it is desirable to render inoperative the lays 18, 22 so that ifthe front edge of the sheet 29 is not straight the latter lays do notinterfere with the registration of the sheet by the lays 17, 21. To thisend each of the lays 18, 22 are provided with a pin Si) provided with ahead 51. The pin 50 is situated in a slot 52, in the associated bar 30,and the head 51 is accommodated in a recess 53 of the same bar. When thelays 18, 22 are to be made inoperative, they are each pulled forward byhand against the action of the associated spring 42, and each pin 50 israised so that the head 51 is situated above the upper surface of thebar and between the lay and an adjacent face 54 of the table 10 (FIG.6). The head 51 is so dimensioned that when the lay is let go again, theinterposition of the head A51 between the lay and the face 54 preventsthe return of the lay into the operative position under the action ofthe spring 42. However, the spring 42 acts to pull the lay into aposition wherein the recess 53 is out of alignment with the head 51 sothat the latter cannot drop again, as for instance on account of anyvibration.

The contacts 19, 23 are of course adjustable simultaneously with theadjustment lays of the respective groups 16, 20. Referring to thecontacts 19, 23 in greater detail, they are each made of an electricallyconductive material and the bars 30 to which they are secured are madeof an insulating material. Further, each contact 19, 23 comprises aknife edge 60, and above each contact 19, 23 there is provided a contact61 (FIGS. 2, 7) intended to be lowered onto the adjacent knife edge `60.The contacts 61 are each mounted on an insulated arm 62 pivoted to abracket 63 secured to the press P. The brackets 63 are partially shownin FIG. 1. The arms 62 are oscillated so that every time a sheet issupposed to be present at the lays, the contacts 61 are loweredmomentarily onto the contacts 19, 23. Said knife edges 60 are positionedto lie at the level of the upper surface of the table 10 and apredetermined small amount behind the lays. Electric leads 64, 65connect the contacts 19, 23 and 61, respectively, in an electric circuitcontrolling the drive of the machine as a whole and operating to stopthe machine if the circuit is established by engagement of either of theknife edges 60 with the respective contacts 61. Such establishment ofthe circuit would occur if no sheet is present at the lays or if thesheet is out of register by an amount greater than the distance by whichthe knife edges 60 are situated behind the lays.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Sheet feeding apparatus comprising Ia table over which sheets are fedin a determined direction, at least one front lay provided on the table,the table being supported at opposite sides thereof for oscillatingmotion about an axis at right angles to the direction of sheet feed, asup port member situated at one of said sides of the table, acylindrical bearing member lying concentrically with said axis andconnected between the table and the support member and cooperating tosupport the table on said support member for said oscillating motion, anaperture being provided in said bearing `member longitudinally thereof,an operating member situated at a side of the support member remote fromsaid table and supported for movement relative thereto, yan intermediarymember extending through said aperture and connected between saidoperating member and said lays, said at least one lay being adjustablysupported on the table for movement in the direction of sheet feedthereby to be adjustable for position, said intermediary memberco-operating to transmit said movement of the operating member to thesaid at least one lay for the position `of the lays to be adjusted bymovement of said operating member.

2. Sheet feeding apparatus comprising a table over which sheets `are fedin a determined direction, at least one front lay provided on the tableand adjustably supported thereon for movement in the direction of sheetfeed thereby to be adjustable for position, the table being supported atopposite sides thereof for oscillation about an axis at right angles tothe direction of sheet feed, a support member situated at one of thesides of the table, a journal secured to the table at said one sidethereof, a bearing provided in said support member and cor-operatingwith said journal to support the table for said oscillation, saidjournal being dimensioned to extend through said bearing substantiallyto the side of the support member remote from said table, an operatingmember situated at said remote side of ythe support member and supportedfor movement relative to said table, an aperture provided in saidjournal longitudinally thereof, an intermediary member extending throughsaid aperture and connected between said operating member and said atleast one lay, said intermediary member co-operating to transmit saidmovement of the operating member to said at least one lay for theposition thereof yto Ibe adjusted by movement of the operating member.

3. Sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 2, said operating memberbeing supported for said movement thereof on said journal.

4. Sheet feeding apparatus comprising a table over which sheets are fedin a determined direction, at least one front lay provided on the tableand adjustably supported thereon for movement in the direction of sheetfeed thereby to be adjustable for position, the table being supported atopposite sides thereof for oscillation about `an axis extending at rightangles to the direction of sheet feed and below the table, a supportmember situ ated at one of said sides of the table, a cylindricalbearing member lying concentrically with said axis and connected betweenthe table and the support member and cooperating to support the table onsaid support member for said oscillation, a longitudinal apertureprovided in said bearing member, an operating member situated at a sideof the support member remote from said table and supported for movementrelative thereto, an intermediary member extending at the underside ofthe table and through said Iaperture and being connected between saidoperating member and said at least one lay, said intermediary memberco-operating to transmit said movement of the oper-ating member to saidatleast one lay for the position thereof to be adjusted `by movement ofthe operating member.

5. Sheet feed apparatus comprising a table over which sheets are fed ina determined direction, at least one front lay provided on the table andadjustably supported thereon for movement in the direction of sheet feedthereby to be adjustable for position, the table being sup ported atopposite sides thereof for oscillation about an axis extending `at rightangles to the direction of sheet feed and below the table, a supportmember situated at one of said sides of the table, a cylindrical bearingmember lying concentrically with said axis and connected between thetable and support member and co-operating to support the table for saidoscillation, a longitudinal aperture provided in said bearing member,anv operating member situated at a side `of the support member remotefrom said table and supported for movement relative thereto, a rodsituated below the table `and extending parallel to said axis ofoscillation and through said aperture, the rod being supported forsliding movement in the direction of its length, the rod being connectedlbetween said operating member and said 4at least one lay, the operatingmember cooperating by movement thereof to slide the rod and the rodco-operating by such sliding to adjustthe position of said Iat least onelay.

6. Sheet feed apparatus comprising a table over which sheets are fed ina determined direction, at least one front lay provided on the table andadjustably supported thereon for movement in the direction of sheet feedthereby to be adjustable for position, the table being supported atopposite sides thereof for oscillation about an axis extending at rightangles to the direction of sheet feed, a pair ot' frames situatedrespectively at said opposite sides ofthe table and co-operating tosupport the table for said oscillation, a rod extending parallel to saidaxis and supported on the table for sliding motion in the direction ofits length and co-operating by such sliding motion to move said at leastone lay`to adjust the position thereof, yan operating member 'situated'at 'a side 'of one of said frames remote from'the'tablein' the'direction of said axis, and said operating member being supported formovement and co-operating by such movement to impart vto said rod saidsliding motion thereof.

7. Sheet fee-ding apparatus comprising a table over which sheets are fedin a determined direction, the table being supported for oscillationabout an axis extending at right angles to the direction of sheet feed,at least two front lays provided on the table and adjustably supportedthereon for movement in said direction of sheet feed thereb-y to beadjustable for position, said lays being spaced apart in the directionof said axis, a pair of frames spaced apart in the direction of saidaxis, the table being situated between said frames and the framesco-operatinig to support the table for said oscillation, a rod extendingparallel to said axis and supported on the table for sliding motion inthe direction of its length, ramp means provided on said rod andpositioned to engage said lays -and cooperating to convert said slidingmotion of the rod into said movement of the lays, an operating membersituated at a side of one of said frames remote from the table in thedirection of said axis, said operating member being supported formovement and being connected to said rod and co-operating by suchmovement to impart to said rod said sliding motion thereof.

8. Sheet feeding apparatus comprising a table over which sheets are fedin a determined direction, the table being supported for oscillationabout an axis extending at right angles to the direction of sheet feed,at least two bars extending in the direction of sheet feed and supportedat the underside of the table for sliding motion in the direction oftheir length, a front lay secured to one end of each of said bars, a rodextending parallel to said axis and supported at the undeiside of thetable for sliding motion in the direction of its length, said bars beingposi tioned for the other ends thereof to lie adjacent said rod, a ramp`member secured tothe rod at the position of each of said bars, springmeans co-operating to urge the bars into engagement with said ramps andsaid ramp co-operating to `impart to said bars said motion thereof whenthe rod is slid'thereby to adjustthe position of said lays relative `tosaid table, a-pair of Aframes spaced apart in the direction of saidaxis, the table being situated between said frames and the `framesco-operating to support the table for said oscillation, anoperatingmember situated at a side of one of said frames remote from the table inthe directionof said axis, said operating member being connected to saidrod and being supported for movement and cooperating by such movement toslide the rod and effect said adjustment of the lay position.

9. Sheet lfeeding apparatus comprising a table over y which sheets arefed in a determined direction, the table being supported at oppositesides thereof for oscillation about an axis at right angles to saiddirection of sheet feed, a support member situated at one of said sidesof the table, a cylindrical bearing member lying concentrically withsaid axis and connected between the table and the support member tosupport the table on said support member for said oscillation, alongitudinal aperture provided in said bearing' member, .an operatingmember situated at a side of the support member remote from said tableand supported for movement relative thereto, arod extending parallel tosaid axisfand supported at the underside of the table for longitudinalsliding motion, said operating -member -being connected through saidaperture to said rod, at least two bars extending in the direction ofsheet feed and supported for longitudinal movement at the under side ofthe table, a front lay secured to each of the bars at one end thereof,said bars each being positioned lfor a portion thereof to lie adjacentsaid rod, a ramp member secured to the rod at the position of each ofsaid portions of the bars, spring means co-operating to urge 'the barsinto engagement with said ramips and said ramps co-operating to impartto said bars said motion thereof when the rod is slid, and saidoperating member cooperating by said movement thereof to slide the`rodvthereby to adjust the position of said lays.v v Y.

10. Sheet feeding apparatus comprising a table over whichsheets arefed-in a determined direction,y the .table being supported at oppositesides thereof yfor oscillation about an axis lying at right angles tosaid direction of sheet feed and substantially at the underside of thetable, a journal secured to said table at one of said sides thereof, abearing in which said journal is seated and eo-operatng to support thetable for said oscillation, a longitudinal aperture provided in saidjournal, an operating member situated at the end of the journal remotefrom said table and supported for movement relative to said journal, arod extending parallel to said axis in substantial alignment with saidaperture of the journal, said rod being supported at the underside ofthe table `for longitudinal sliding motion and being connected throughsaid aperture to said operating member, at least two bars extending insaid direction of sheet feed and supported at the underside of the tablefor longitudinal motion, a front lay secured to each of said bars, saidbars each being positioned yfor a portion thereof to lie adjacent saidrod, a ramp member secured to the rod at the position of each of saidadjacent portions of the bars, spring means co-operating to urge thelbars into engagement with said ramps and said ramps co-openating toimpart to said bars said motion thereof when the rod is slid, allywhereby said movement of the operating member is transmitted to saidlays to adjust the position thereof.

11. Sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 10, said operating memberbeing supported `for said movement thereof on said journal.

12. Sheet feed apparatus comprising a table over which sheets are fed ina determined direction, the table being supported at opposite sidesthereof `for oscillating motion about an axis at right angles to thedirection of sheet feed, a support member situated at one of said sidesof the table, a cylindrical bearing member lying concentrically withsaid axis and connected between the table and the support member andco-operating to support the table for said oscillating motion, twooperating members positioned at a side of the support member remote fromsaid table and supported `for movement relative thereto, two front laysconnected to the table and adjustably supported thereon for movement insaid direction of sheet feed thereby to be adjustable for position, twointermediary members connected to transmit the movement of therespective operating members respectively to said lays for theadjustment of the position thereof independently of each other, twolongitudinal apertures provided in said bearing member, and saidintermediary members being positioned to extend respectively throughsaid apertures.

13. Sheet feeding apparatus comprising a table over which sheets are fedin a determined direction, the table being supported at opposite sidesthereof for oscillation about an axis lying at right angles to saiddirection of sheet feed and substantially `at the underside of thetable, a journal secured to said table at one of said sides thereof, abearing in which said journal is seated and co-operating to support saidtable for said oscillation, a longitudinal aperture provided in saidjournal, a screw extending parallel to said axis and threadedlyconnected to said journal, a rod extending parallel to said axis andsupported at the underside of the table for longitudinal sliding motion,said screw being connected through said aperture to said rod, theconnection `between said screw and said rod operating to slide the rodwhen the screw is turned, at least two bars extending in said directionof sheet feed and supported at the underside of the table forlongitudinal motion, a front lay secured to each of said bars, said-bars each being positioned for a portion thereof to lie adjacent saidrod, a ramp member secured to the rod at the position of each of saidadjacent portions of the bars, spring meansv co-operating to urge thebars into engagement with said ramps and said ramps co-operating toimpart to said bars said motion thereof when the rod is slid by saidturning of said screw.

14. Sheet `feeding apparatus comprising a table over which sheets arefed in a determined direction, the table being supported at oppositesides thereof for oscillation about an axis lying at right angles tosaid direction of sheet feed and substantially at the underside of thetable, a journal secured to said table at one of said sides thereof, abearing in which the journal is seated and which cooperates to supportthe table for said oscillation, a longitudinal aperture provided in saidjournal, a rod extending parallel to said axis in alignment with saidaperture of the journal, said rod being supported at the underside ofthe table for longitudinal sliding motion, at least two bars extendingin the direction of sheet feed and supported at the underside of thetable for longitudinal motion, a front lay secured to each of said bars,said bars being positioned for a portion thereof to lie adjacent saidrod, a ramp member secured to the rod at the position of each of saidadjacent portions of the bars, rst spring means co-operating to urge thebars into engagement with said ramps, said ramps being dimensioned tomove the bars in opposition to said rst spring means when the rod isslid in the direction away from said journal and said first spring meansco-operating to return the bars when the rod is slid in the oppositedirection, a screw threadedly connected to said journal and situated inalignment with said aperture, said rod extending through said apertureinto end to end engagement with lsaid screw, second spring meanszo-operating to urge the rod in the direction towards said journal andinto said engagement, said screw co-operating upon being turned in onedirection to slide the rod in opposition to said second spring means andsaid second spring means co-operating to return the rod when the screwis reversed, said screw having a portion protruding through the end ofthe journal remote from the table, a head provided on the protrudingportion of the screw and defining a means for manually turning thescrew, and such turning operating to adjust the position of said lays.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 9,711Richards May 10, 1853 99,133 Barth Ian. 25, 1870 145,890 Morris Dec. 23,1873 1,026,606 Robb May 14, 1912 1,155,505 Niles Oct. 5, 1915 1,665,305Kelly Apr. 10, 1928 1,695,648 Giesecke et al Dec. 18, 1928 2,685,446Backhouse Aug. 3, 1954 2,709,960 Alix et al June 7, 1955 2,803,460Meltendorf Aug. 20, 1957

